The essential goal of any Outward Bound course is for the students to learn autonomy. Our expedition curriculum supports this happening in a progressive way.
During the first third of a course (a phase called “training expedition”), the instructors are very present in the group. They teach outdoor skills, the technical aspects of the activities and guide the students as they form a team.
In the middle third of the course (what we call the “main expedition”), the instructors take a step back so students may step forward. Students begin to teach what they’ve already learned to each other, and experiment with applying basic skills to bigger challenges. The instructors continue to coach and support as the students practice leadership roles. When the group meets a particular situation, environment or activity they haven’t learned about before, the instructors jump back in and teach. Each time this happens, the group reaches competency more quickly.
By the last third of the course (the “final expedition”), students are the stars of the show. They are applying what they know, leading each other, setting goals, and solving problems collaboratively. The instructors are close by and ready to step back in to prevent a safety issue from occurring but will let students find their own resiliency when they make mistakes, and ensure they feel the full spotlight of success when they meet their goals.
Course Area
Your course area along the coast of Maine, with its intricate and indented shoreline, is a unique segment of the North Atlantic seaboard. It is renowned among sailors for its picturesque beauty, iconic lighthouses, abundant bays and harbors, rocky islands, and quiet coves. Our cruising area covers nearly 200 miles of the Maine coast, with countless rivers, bays, and islands to explore. The rocky, spruce-covered islands are the summits of a prehistoric mountain range; many generations of inhabitants have made their livelihoods here. Evidence left behind on the islands reveals the historic presence of indigenous Abenaki camps, pre-colonial fishing communities, post-colonial timber and farming operations, and early 20th-century granite quarries. Cold, nutrient-rich waters flow from the Canadian Maritimes and make the Gulf of Maine home to a wide range of sea birds, seals, porpoises, and whales.
Program Outcomes
On your HIOBS program, you will learn four important Outward Bound Core Values:
Compassion
Integrity
Excellence
Inclusion and Diversity
Some of the most important lessons you take home are learning about yourself and your community while acquiring backcountry skills and having an adventure. As you will be traveling through wild places on your expedition, you’ll also learn to protect and appreciate the unique, unspoiled environments through which you travel.
College Courses
The first few years after high school are filled with excitement and pressure - whether you are getting ready for (or are in) college, or are building your knowledge and skills within the workforce. Sometimes, it’s easy to let the momentum take over.
To get a fresh perspective, it's important to step out of your routines and challenge yourself in new ways so you can discover new strengths within yourself.
On your HIOBS program, you will learn four important Outward Bound Core Values:
Compassion
Integrity
Excellence
Inclusion and Diversity
Some of the most important lessons you take home are learning about yourself and your community while acquiring backcountry skills and having an adventure. As you will be traveling through wild places on your expedition, you’ll also learn to protect and appreciate the unique, unspoiled environments through which you travel. Our Outward Bound instructors coach students to step outside their perceived limitations, to assess risks, and to work together on expedition to achieve more than they thought possible - and also to find ways to transfer these "a-ha" moments back to life at home, work and school.
You need to be physically fit, and motivated to live, learn and work together within your expedition team. No previous wilderness travel or camping experience is necessary—all travel and leadership skills are taught from the beginning, and each phase of the expedition builds on the previous one.
What you need to know about becoming an Outward Bound student. Policies, Procedures, and helpful information for all students and parents. Please read it all!
Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight.
2-3
SPORTS BRAS (as needed)
Quick-drying synthetic bras.
1-2
SYNTHETIC T-SHIRTS
Can be 50/50 blend of cotton/polyester but all synthetics dry faster. One could be a tank top. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1-2
COTTON T-SHIRTS
Nice for dry weather or for sleeping in. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
WIND JACKET
Lightweight, breathable, unlined nylon jacket
1
WARM FLEECE JACKET OR WOOL SWEATER
Thick: 300-weight Polartec® or the equivalent in wool or pile. A full front zipper helps you vent and makes layering easier. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
LONG-SLEEVED, LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRT
Old loose fitting dress shirts are great for sun protection. Thrift stores generally have the best and brightest selection!Can be cotton. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
Bottoms
BOTTOMS
4- 7
UNDERPANTS
Synthetic fabrics work best but cotton is okay.
2
LONG UNDERWEAR BOTTOMS
Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight.
One-piece quick-drying swimsuit, t-shirt and/or sports bra and shorts, or lightweight swim shorts
Head, hands, feet items
HEAD, HANDS and FEET
1
SUN HAT
For sun protection, either a broad-brimmed hat with chin strap or a baseball cap. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
WINTER HAT
Make sure it covers your ears when you pull it down. Wool or synthetic only. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
HEAD NET
Fine mesh bug net that will fit over your head, to be worn as needed on land. HERE is a good example.
1-2
SOCKS
Thick: wool or synthetic only. NO COTTON.
1-2
LIGHT SOCKS
Thin synthetic socks
1
RUNNING SOCKS
Synthetic sock
1
RUNNING SNEAKERS
Full-coverage, below-the-ankle, athletic footwear
1
CROCS or RIVER/ WATER SANDALS
CROCS (or similar): Closed-cell resin clogs with partial foot coverage, drainage and ventilation holes, and a heel strap RIVER SANDALS: Appropriate design for OB courses with heel straps, and toe caps or bumpers
Personal items
PERSONAL ITEMS
1
INSURANCE CARD
If you have health insurance, please bring your card, or a clear photocopy of both sides of it.
1
$25-75 CASH, OR A CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
To buy snacks during travel or to pay for lost or damaged gear. Items from the school store will be for sale at the end of your course.
2
HAND SANITIZERS
Pocket-sized squeeze bottles of hand sanitizer
1
HEADLAMP AND BATTERIES
Minimum three volts (two or more AA- or AAA-batteries). Bring one set of alkaline batteries per week of course.Many headlamp varieties offer a red-light mode for preserving night vision, which is a useful option.
1
WATER BOTTLE (WIDE-MOUTH)
32 oz. water bottle. Wide-mouth makes filling easier.
1
PACK TOWEL
A synthetic, wringable towel, also called a chamois, a sports towel or a swimmer’s towel. No cotton.
1
WATCH
Make sure it’s waterproof and inexpensive. Stopwatch, light, and alarm are useful functions.
1
SUNGLASSES
Bring a strap to hold them on and a hard-sided case to protect them when you’re not wearing them.
2
EYEGLASS SYSTEM (if needed)
Bring a hard case and a keeper strap for your glasses. Bring two pairs, or a pair of contacts and your glasses.
1
JOURNAL / NOTEBOOK
Personal journal or notebook, put in a Ziploc with pen. You may want to take notes during your course. (5" x81/2" or smaller.)
1
SPOON & BOWL
Spoon can be metal or plastic. Bowl can be wood or tough plastic; having a secure lid for it has been very helpful
1+
BANDANNAS
Useful for shading your neck from the sun, cleaning sunglasses, as pot holders, and more.
2-3
PLASTIC BAGS
Gallon-sized Ziploc®-type with a closure for keeping things dry or separating wet items
1
TOILET KIT (BASIC)
Toothbrush, small trial-size toothpaste, comb, brush, and dental floss. Don’t bring soap, deodorant, makeup or razor.
DISPOSABLE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS
An ample supply. Changes in diet and activity can produce changes in cycles.
1-2
SUNSCREEN
8-oz, minimum SPF 30. Do not bring aerosol sprays.
1
LIP BALM
Minimum SPF 30
1
INSECT REPELLENT
Bring a small unbreakable container, 10-50% DEET. Do not bring aerosol sprays.
2 sets
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS (if needed)
MUST be in original bottles or vials. The extra set is just in case the medication gets lost or damaged.
1 set
TRAVEL CLOTHES & COURSE END TOILETRIES
Clean clothes for the trip home, towel, soap and shampoo for the course end shower.
1
SARONG or large piece of fabric
A length of very light cotton or rayon (3’ x 7’), preferably not white,to wrap around yourself while changing clothes.A non-fitted twin bedsheet can be used.
Additional items (for cooler month programs)
ADDITIONAL ITEMS: Maine Sea (Cooler months: May, June and September)
1
FLEECE VEST OR LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT
Mid-weight: can be Polartec® fleece, wool, or the equivalent weight shirt or 100- or 200-weight Polartec® vest.
1
MEDIUM WEIGHT PANTS
Mid-weight: 100- or 200-weight Polartec® or the equivalent
1
MITTENS OR GLOVES
Can be wool or fleece.
1
BALACLAVA
A hood-shaped hat that covers your head and neck. You could also bring a neck gaiter and a second hat.
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